At this moment, the fate of our shared waters and communities hangs in the balance. The Line 5 pipeline threatens precious ecosystems, yet it persists because too many remain silent or uncertain about how to act. What if you were the one to change that story?
This toolkit is your stepping stone—from feeling powerless or unsure to becoming an active catalyst for protecting the place you call home. Below, you’ll find the knowledge, strategies, and next steps that can turn concern into influence and hesitation into momentum. As you learn, organize, and mobilize, you’ll see the impact of your actions ripple outward. The struggle for a safer future is already underway. Step forward and help shape it.
Brief Line 5 Overview
Enbridge’s Line 5 is a 71-year-old 645-mile petroleum pipeline that carries nearly 23 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids daily from Superior, Wisconsin, across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, through northern Michigan, down to the thumb region, and under the St. Clair River to Sarnia, Ontario. Along the way, the pipeline crosses through the Straits of Mackinac, 400 rivers, streams, and wetlands.
The pipelines in the Straits cross one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in the world. University of Michigan scientists modeled the currents in the Straits of Mackinac and called it "the worst possible place for an oil spill in the Great Lakes."
Enbridge, Inc., the Canadian company that operates the pipeline, has a tarnished safety record. Line 5 has spilled 33 times and at least 1.1 million gallons along its length since 1968. Enbridge is also responsible for the second-largest inland oil spill when Line 6B spilled 1.1 million gallons of tar sands bitumen into the Kalamazoo River in 2010.
Line 5 splits into two 20-inch-in-diameter pipelines that lie exposed at the bottom of the Straits, a busy shipping channel. An anchor strike in 2018 from a ship in peril gashed and dented both underwater pipelines. Enbridge contractors severely damaged pipeline supports in 2019, but Enbridge safety measures missed the damage, which wasn't even discovered until June 2020. The pipeline was temporarily shut down to inspect the damage and subsequently reopened.
Line 5 is a ticking time bomb, threatening the Great Lakes, home to 21 percent of the world's fresh surface water. The pristine Straits area supports bountiful fisheries, provides drinking water to thousands of people, and anchors a thriving tourism industry. Additionally, with a warming climate, scientists warn that we have less than a decade to reduce carbon emissions by half or face dire consequences. Moving away from dirty fuels like the ones carried by Line 5 is urgent, so the pipeline needs to be shut down permanently.
How did we get here? Watch the history of the movement to #ShutDownLine5
Ways to Take Action and Raise Line 5 Awareness on Your Campus
1. Host a BAD RIVER Viewing Party
WHAT: BAD RIVER is a fantastic new documentary feature film that chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty, a story that unfolds in a groundbreaking way through a series of shocking revelations, devastating losses, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience which includes a David vs. Goliath battle to save Lake Superior, the largest freshwater resource in America.
Watch the BAD RIVER Trailer
NEXT STEPS: Reserve a spot on campus (either a room or theater space), create a flyer with the details, and spread the word to your friends, classmates, and around campus. Screening can be big or small – that’s up to you!
SUPPORT: Oil & Water Don’t Mix will help you get access to show the film. We are also happy to help you create promotional materials if needed. We’d happily throw in pizza or another snack and send promotional swag for your screening! Depending on the date, we may be able to join you for a post-film discussion if that is of interest.
2. Lead a Day of Action
WHAT: Lead a day of action on your campus!
There are several ways you can do this:
- Post or hand out flyers on/around your campus that contain a special Line 5 action with a customized QR code.
- Host a table at an upcoming student event
- Plan a rally around the issue
- Come up with your own idea!
NEXT STEPS: Recruit friends and classmates to join you to maximize your impact!
SUPPORT: Oil & Water Don’t Mix will help direct which action makes the most sense (depending on timing) and will create a trackable QR code for you. We are happy to help create promotional materials and provide Line 5 SWAG you can hand out.
3. Meet with Your Elected Leaders
WHAT: Meeting with your elected leaders is a great way to engage with them on the issue and share why it’s important to you. The more they hear from their constituents on why Line 5 needs to be shut down, the better!
NEXT STEPS: If you aren’t sure who your elected officials are, you can look them up here. If you are interested in meeting with your elected leaders, you can check their websites and/or social media accounts to see if they have scheduled any upcoming events or coffee hours. You can also call their local office and try to schedule a meeting. If scheduling conflicts prevent a face-to-face meeting, you can always meet with one of their staffers.
SUPPORT: Oil & Water Don’t Mix is happy to share talking points and prep with you in advance if you would like. You may find our recent training on “Meeting with your Representatives” helpful. Click here to view the slide presentation. If you secure a meeting, we’d love to hear how it goes, so please reach out after and share any details.
4. Engage with Us on Social Media
Engaging with Oil & Water Don’t Mix on social media will help expand the campaign’s reach. Please like, share, and comment when you can.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oilandwaterdontmixcoalition
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oilandwaterdontmixcoalition/
X: https://twitter.com/OilWaterDntMix
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/owdm.bsky.social
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shutdownline5
Don't forget! Use hashtag #ShutDownLine5
5. Stay Connected for the Latest on Line 5
- Attend Oil & Water Don’t Mix’s Monthly Campaign Zoom Calls. These take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Register here.
- Visit the OWDM Website - especially our Events and Take Action pages for things you can do.
- Check out our Line 5: 101 Webinar below